ATLANTA (June 10, 2015) – When it comes to the food and beverage industry, everyone has a story to share. Former Takorea and Saltyard server Karen Pagano is no exception. She is eager to facilitate the sharing of industry war stories, providing the connections, tools and real-life advice that make opportunities possible as the new Atlanta city manager of industree, an organization whose goal is to build culinary community where everyone from bussers to owners can gather to learn, grow and simply connect with other like-minded professionals.

"Atlanta is definitely a food destination. We have an amazing community of restaurants and industry staff,” Pagano says. “ATL industree is here to support, educate and bring the industry together in a fun, raw and real way. We drink, we eat, we network and we cheer each other on!"

Headquartered in the District of Columbia, industree has made fast strides with successful launches in Philadelphia and Miami, and upcoming chapters in Boston, Denver and Austin. Pagano sees Atlanta's diverse and notable restaurant community as an ideal place for industree to thrive. "I am super stoked about ATL industree,” she says. “Our restaurant scene needs this. We are a tight-knit community and know each other’s struggles, celebrate our successes and now we have a large platform to do so."

Industree makes its Atlanta debut with its “Heart of the House” program on June 29 from 2 – 5 p.m. at The Marianna, located above Wrecking Bar Brewpub (292 Moreland Avenue, NE in Little Five Points). After mingling over cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres, guests will be treated to candid tales from the kitchen trenches from some of Atlanta’s top toques and restaurateurs. Moderated by Aria's chef/owner Gerry Klaskala, the distinguished panel includes:

Todd Rushing, partner, Concentrics Restaurants

Nick Leahy, chef/partner, Saltyard

Robby Kukler, partner, Fifth Group Restaurants

Imani Greer, chef de cuisine, Seven Lamps

Zeb Stevenson, executive chef, Watershed

Terry Koval, executive chef, Wrecking Bar Brewpub

“Since we launched in 2013, we have seen mentorships develop, new concepts launch, business deals close and long-term relationships created – it has been amazing," says industree founder and CEO Alisia Kleinmann. “There are incredible things happening in Atlanta’s food and beverage scene, and we are thrilled to provide a fresh way to start connecting the dots."

Tickets for the June 29 event, priced at $10 for culinary students, $20 for industry professionals and $40 for the general public, are currently on sale here. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Giving Kitchen, a non-profit providing emergency assistance grants to members of the food and beverage industry facing unanticipated hardship.

Industree is not just for chefs and restaurant employees. Anyone interested in the food scene or in related industries such as commercial real estate or design services is welcome to attend. Future events - presented with a candid and authentic spirit - will include topics such as "The Business of Booze" and "Hail to The V" (a celebration of women in the industry).

ATL industree's advisory board reads like a who’s who of local food and beverage veterans and includes the following:

Todd Rushing, Concentrics Restaurants

Naomi Green, The Giving Kitchen

Chris Hardman, Georgia Restaurant Association

Mara Davis, Atlanta EATS

Nick Leahy, Saltyard

Rachel Bell, Georgia Restaurant Association

Whit Whitmire, Brasstown Beef

Stephanie O’Rourk, CohnReznick

Joe Kelly, TalentServed

Melissa Libby, Melissa Libby & Associates

Pagano says, “We handpicked the board to help us stay on top of what’s happening in the industry and ensure that each program packs a powerful educational punch.” For more information, visitwww.atlindustree.com.

Industree is an event-based brand and the candid voice of the food & beverage industry. They cultivate a community of seasoned industry innovators, future trailblazers and everyone in between to provide the connections, tools and real-life advice that make opportunities possible. Their unfiltered events and content provide a platform to share, learn and grow both personally and professionally. @DCindustree @PHLindustree @MIAindustree @ATLindustree

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You can also find ATL industree city manager Karen Pagano’s bio and photo here (photo credit: Claudia Bost), as well as flyers for the event.